September 20, 2012
THE COMPASS ROSE
USCG AUX Flotilla 1-5, Mission Bay, California
N
e
w
s
l
e
t
t
e
r
A message from our Commander
In military organizations the
Longest serving
Member, Dale
Dates to Remember,
Flotilla “Color Guard”
Bill Beacom’s Corner
PFD- Pet Flotation Device
“Color Guard” historically
Page 1.
Hawkins.USCG-AUX
since 1979.
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
A Word From Our Commander
In military organizations the "Color Guard" historically refers to a
detachment of soldiers assigned to protect the regimental colors. This
duty is so prestigious that the “color” is generally carried by a young
officer, while experienced non-commissioned officers are assigned to
protect the flag. These NCOs, accompanied sometimes by warrant
officers, can be ceremonially armed with either sabers or rifles. Color
guards are generally dismounted, but there are also mounted color
guard formations as well. Being assigned to the color guard is
considered an honor due to the fact that these individuals present and
carry the symbols of their unit and country. Depending on the
circumstance and subject to the orders of their commander, members
may wear full dress, or less formal uniforms. It is mandatory for all
members of the color guard to wear headgear: a garrison cap or service
cap. While we won't ask our “Color Guard” to fight for the colors as
shown in the historic image, left our members do participate in many
local events. This month's newsletter highlights and is dedicated to our
Flotilla 1-5 Color Guard.
1
The fight for the flag between
French line infantry and Russian
Guard at the Battle of Austerlitz
(1805).
September 20, 2012
TH E CO M P AS S RO S E
Our Longest Serving Member
Dale Hawkins grew up in Iowa, joining the US Submarine Force out of high school, serving two patrols as a
navigation electronics technician before his submarine career was cut short by illness.
Some of the positions he served.
• 1980 joined the Coast Guard Auxiliary.
• served as instructor, vessel examiner, communications specialist, navigator and master and aviator.
• served as Coast Guard Liaison Officer to the Naval Sea Cadet units at NAS Miramar for 11 years.
• USCG AUX, Flotilla 1-5: Flotilla Commander,
When word went out in 1983 that Division 1 was creating a new aviation flotilla, Dale jumped at the opportunity
continuing his membership in Flotilla 1-5, Montgomery Field.
He moved to Vermont in 1998, reporting to the Burlington Coast Guard Station on historic Lake Champlain, where he
was informed that the Coast Guard gets their air support from the Air Force. At their request , Mr. Hawkins joined
the Civil Air Patrol, serving as a check pilot and Wing Safety Officer . He joined the Vermont Air National Guard as a
command post controller, all the while serving as a member of Flotilla 1-5.
In 2003, Mr. Hawkins’ career brought him back to Tehachapi, CA. as a member of the Coast Guard Recruiting Station
Fresno. Mr. Hawkins attends job fairs, helps administer Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) exams,
gives presentations to community groups and represents the Coast Guard at Tehachapi’s "martial celebrations".
Dale is proud to be known as “Mr. Coast Guard” in Tehachapi.
Today Mr. Hawkins spends his time tending his gardens, enjoying his telescope under Tehachapi’s dark sky, teaching
martial arts, and making sure that kids in Tehachapi know about opportunities in the Coast Guard. Even though he is
now surrounded by mountains , his heart still is with the Coast Guard and the Mission Bay flotilla.
2
September 20, 2012
TH E CO M P A S S RO S E
Our Flotilla’s Color Guard
The Flotilla 1-5 Color Guard was organized and
supervised by auxiliarist and former Flotilla 1-5
Commander, Will Tisch. The idea of a “Color Guard”
was originally brought for consideration by the
Division but was turned down. Flotilla 1-5. then picked
up the reins on this venture, including expenses for
the flags and drill rifles. Will now serves as Color
Guard Commander.
Current members include Skip Thompson, Bill
Beacom, Angie Ginn, Vern Torres and Ed Samsen, all
from Flotilla 1-5. Randy Houck and auxiliarist from
other flotillas also participate as needed to fill-in.
Another important member of the Color Guard is
Eileen Tisch. She is always present providing an
excellent pair of eyes to determine that the “Colors”
are displayed properly and uniforms worn according
to regulations and protocol. She also acts as
photographer, documenting the events the Color
Guard participates in during the year. These included:
Padres Game, Labor Day 2010,Veterans Day 2010, and
Memorial Day 2012. Next events will be Veterans Day
Parade, San Diego and the Holiday Bowl Parade.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Friday, October 12th
Scripps Oceanographic Institute
1000 -1400 (tentative)
Tour
Saturday, October 27th
La Mesa Environmental Festival
1000-1400
Wednesday, November 7th
Special Event at Maritime Institute
1900-2100
"Rags Laragione"
Sunday, December. 1. 2012
Northpark Toyland Parade,
Color Guard & Booth Activity
3
1300-1700
September 20, 2012
TH E CO M P AS S RO S E
PFD - Pet Flotation Device
Do you think pets should have Life
Jackets (PFDs)? Well, that depends.
to swim continuously to stay afloat.
taken to the store to try on a PFD to be
They could get very tired. If a dog falls
sure of the correct size. One of the
PFDs are made for pets, mostly for cats off a boat, they might sink a
better PFDs recommended was the
and dogs. Well, mostly for dogs, but
considerable distance before bobbing
‘Outward Hound’ brand. Why do
there are a few cats that wear them as
up to the top, and of course might start people buy PFDs for their pets?
well. There is a myth that says “All
to panic.. So they do make PFD’s (PET
Primarily for peace of mind. And the
dogs can swim> - not true! While many Flotation Devices) for animals (dogs
animals don’t seem to mind, either !. I
dogs and dog breeds love the water,
and cats.). The first thing to note is
haven’t seen any PFDs for parakeets
there are a few that don’t want
that unlike human PFDs, the US Coast
and pet fish - don’t think they need
anything to do with it, and some that
Guard does not regulate animal PFDs..
one!
should not be near the water as it
However, the Boat US Foundation has
would be dangerous. Some breeds,
done extensive studies on many
like Dobermans, Greyhounds, and
manufactures. They can be reached at:
(Submitted by Bill Beacom)
Whippets have very low body fat mass. http:www.boatus.com/foundation/Fin
This may make it more difficult to stay
dings/52/default.asp for additional
afloat and to regulate body
information. There are a number of
temperature. If they are not familiar
manufacturers of dog and cat PFDs,
with being in the water, fear and
most of which seem to work well.
anxiety can also play apart, just as it
There are some items to note when
would with humans. On the other
looking for a pet PFD. First, size DOES
hand, there are other breeds, like
matter. Every manufacturer offers
Retrievers and Labradors that just
several models in different sizes.
love being in the water. Then why
There is little consistency though. In
should they use a PFD? Again it
naming the sizes, i.e. a ‘small’ in one
depends on the situation. A dog in
line , is a ‘large’ in another line. It is
deep water for a long time would have
highly recommended that a dog be
Our website:
http://a1140105.wo
w.uscgaux.info/
4
Flotilla 1-5 meets 1st
Monday each Month
at "Marina Village
Convention Center"
(1900-2100)
Perspective
members always
welcome.